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Picture of Basilio J. Valdes

Basilio J. Valdes

Basilio J. Valdes, M.D. (July 10, 1892 –January 26, 1970), soldier, doctor, cabinet member, businessman. Chief of Staff, Philippine Army, 1939-1945; Secretary of National Defense in the Quezon and Osmeña War Cabinets, 1941-45. Professor of Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Medical Director of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, 1948-1970.
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February 16, 1942 – Monday

General MacArthur reported that all was O.K. The submarine would be arriving Thursday.

The Japanese are still shelling us but they hit the water.

We dined on the SS Legaspi. We had just finished when two shells, fell on the dock near the boat. All the laborers ran away. We had to leave the boat and go to the tunnel.